Mehmet Akif Güler
Recent musculoskeletal complaints were common among motorcycle couriers. Perceived traffic exposure and perceived road irregularity/vibration exposure were the most consistent self-reported working-condition indicators associated with reported complaints. These findings should not be interpreted as evidence that objectively measured occupational exposures contributed to the complaints and warrant confirmation in longitudinal studies using objective exposure assessment.
OBJECTIVES: Motorcycle couriers work in traffic-intensive and physically demanding environments, but evidence on recent musculoskeletal complaints in this occupational group remains limited. This study estimated the 7-day prevalence of neck, shoulder, and low back complaints among motorcycle couriers and examined associations with self-reported working-condition indicators.
METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 286 actively working motorcycle couriers in Konya, Turkey. Six perceived working-condition indicators-traffic, air pollution, noise, road irregularity/vibration, heat, and cold exposure-were assessed using 0-10 numeric rating scales. Recent neck, shoulder, and low back complaints were assessed separately for the previous 7 days. Associations were estimated using modified Poisson regression with robust variance. Perceived traffic exposure and perceived road irregularity/vibration exposure were prespecified as the main indicators of interest.
RESULTS: The 7-day prevalence of complaints was 55.9% for the neck, 52.8% for the shoulder, and 71.0% for the low back. In extended-adjusted models, higher perceived traffic exposure and higher perceived road irregularity/vibration exposure were consistently associated with all three complaint outcomes. These associations remained after false discovery rate correction, although they were attenuated in mutually adjusted sensitivity analyses. Secondary indicators showed more region-specific and less consistent associations.
CONCLUSIONS: Recent musculoskeletal complaints were common among motorcycle couriers. Perceived traffic exposure and perceived road irregularity/vibration exposure were the most consistent self-reported working-condition indicators associated with reported complaints. These findings should not be interpreted as evidence that objectively measured occupational exposures contributed to the complaints and warrant confirmation in longitudinal studies using objective exposure assessment.